Hey there, just wanted to comment on this as both a teaser and an explanation of sorts.
Some of your suggestions (Like bosses and side quests/smaller mysteries) are already planned for later releases, while suggestions for combat balancing like stat upgrades and melee/upgraded ranged options are not that difficult to implement.
Here, I do want to note that we plan to have more opportunities to gain money like the ore merchant that is in the current version, which I think a lot of people overlooked or forgot about.
The only thing I can assure you will not be in the game is the ally mechanic, or at least they will not be an active combat participant. This is due to the coding in place - it would not be impossible, but it would require a pretty extensive rework of what is already in game.
